Just like a refrigerator, your heat pump needs a steady supply of refrigerant to operate. So how can you tell if it’s time for a refill? These are Patterson’s top 3 signs your heat pump refrigerant is running low.
Outdoor coil icing up
Refrigerant is designed to absorb heat, making low levels a serious issue for Charlotte homeowners. Low refrigerant can cause icing on the outdoor coil. The defrost cycle won’t be able to keep up, resulting in little to no heat for your home. When this occurs, you’ll need to call Patterson Heating & Cooling so our technicians can fix the problem.
Strange noises from your Charlotte, NC, heat pump
When refrigerant leaks out of the line, air moves in to take its place. This causes a pressure buildup that results in strange, loud noises coming from your heat pump. We’ve heard these noises described all sorts of ways, but common descriptions include “hissing” and “gurgling.” Regardless, a strange, constant noise coming from your heat pump could be indicative of a serious refrigerant leak.
Heat pump refrigerant running low means less comfort
The heat pump uses refrigerant to bring heat from outdoor air to your Charlotte home’s interior. However, it’s important to remember that refrigerant doesn’t get “used up” like fuel. Therefore, any leak that results in a drop in refrigerant will severely impact your heating system’s performance. The more it leaks, the less your heat pump is able to transfer heat from outside into your home. If you’ve noticed your house never seems to be warm enough, you may have a leak. In addition, a heat pump refrigerant leak will cause your heating bills to consistently rise while your comfort suffers.
If your refrigerant is leaking, call Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning for professional heat pump repair today.
